Jiang Zuo glanced behind him in surprise. The sensation had only lasted for an instant.
But he had still sensed it clearly.
The sensation came from the marking.
For a brief moment, the marking had become much more sensitive, allowing him to perceive something related to it.
Something very important.
Something he absolutely had to go and see.
Jiang Zuo felt a wave of helplessness. ’What on earth are Su Qi and the others researching? First, they forced me to come online, and now it’s getting sensitive for no reason.’
But since it was related to Su Qi, he wanted to go have a look.
Besides, he was also quite curious about what the Lord of the Immortal Spirit Mansion had left behind.
"Fellow Daoist, what happened?" Swordsman Beitian asked.
Jiang Zuo’s reaction had been so sudden it unnerved them. They were afraid the skeletons could also burrow through the ground to ambush and kill them.
If that were the case, death would be inevitable.
Jiang Zuo was practically the core of their group; his every move was crucial.
Jiang Zuo continued to gaze in that direction before finally saying, "I have some personal business to attend to. You all should try heading down first."
The moment they left, this place might be sealed off. Jiang Zuo wasn’t particularly concerned, though; being sealed in didn’t frighten him.
’As for whether it will return to the Ancient Battlefield... it probably won’t. This Secret Realm isn’t part of the Ancient Battlefield.’
Hearing Jiang Zuo’s words, the others were speechless.
’Who’s abandoning who, here?’
Daoist Crazy Python immediately said, "Fellow Daoist, we should stick together. We can help if you need anything."
Wu Xi added charmingly, "That’s right, Fellow Daoist Po Xiao. We can still be of some help."
Hu Xing nodded as well. "Let’s go together."
Nangong Sui was inwardly ecstatic. He knew his luck was about to change.
So he said sincerely, "Please take us with you, Fellow Daoist. We certainly won’t shy away from helping."
Swordsman Beitian, however, just said, "I’m fine either way."
Jiang Zuo glanced at them.
He was about to say something, but Daoist Crazy Python had already started digging. "We cultivators have a code of honor. You’re headed this way, aren’t you, Fellow Daoist?
We’ll clear a path right now."
Wu Xi and the others suddenly felt that this ’code of honor’ excuse was incredibly useful.
Since they had all sprung into action, Jiang Zuo didn’t say anything more.
The feeling had only lasted an instant, so Jiang Zuo wasn’t sure how far away the place was. All they could do now was keep digging.
But it wasn’t long before they broke through the earth.
That’s right, they dug straight through.
When they emerged, they found themselves in a valley, a very deep one.
Fortunately, there were no skeletons in the valley.
But when they looked up, they discovered countless skeletons wandering along the edge of the valley.
Swordsman Beitian said in surprise, "They can’t get down?"
Jiang Zuo nodded. "There’s a very powerful Array here."
With that, Jiang Zuo started walking deeper into the valley.
At that moment, Jiang Zuo took out the Marking Array Stone. He wasn’t sure if he needed to activate the marking yet.
The valley was neither small nor desolate. There was an open clearing, flanked by flowers, grass, and trees.
In the middle of the valley stood a wooden house. It looked ancient, as if it might turn to dust at the slightest touch.
As soon as Jiang Zuo neared the wooden house, he sensed it: a message was about to appear.
He immediately told Swordsman Beitian and the others, "Don’t disturb me."
Swordsman Beitian and the others didn’t understand why, but they nodded anyway.
At that moment, the message began to appear, but the marking displayed a notification first:
[Unknown Candidacy Saintess has shared an official online video.]
「In the Holy Land.」
Jingyue, Su Qi, and the others were still trying to figure out why their recent attempt had failed.
Suddenly, a prompt appeared:
[Unknown Candidacy Saintess has shared an official online video. Sync to watch?]
[Yes/No]
They were all stunned for a moment before looking up at each other.
Jingyue was shocked as well. ’This Unknown Candidacy Saintess is this good? She found an important location this quickly?’
"Sync it, quickly!" Jingyue said at once.
Then, everyone chose ’Yes’.
But the video feed had only just appeared before it vanished again for no apparent reason.
Su Qi asked in surprise, "Mine’s gone. What about you all?"
Qing Lian also said, "Mine too."
"Mine too," said Xiaoxiao, raising her hand.
It was the same for the others.
Then they all looked toward Jingyue. She hadn’t said a word, and her expression was quite unpleasant.
The notification she received read:
[The Unknown Candidacy Saintess has received an official online video and is awaiting their confirmation to share.]
’Aren’t these permissions a bit excessive? It even appeared for a moment, only to be forcibly shut down.’
In reality, Jiang Zuo was extremely displeased with the marking’s actions. It had shared the video directly without his consent.
So, as Jiang Zuo frowned in displeasure, a new prompt appeared:
[Share ended.]
[An official online video has been found. Share?]
[Yes/No]
Seeing this message, Jiang Zuo was truly surprised. ’This marking really knows how to change its tune on a dime.’
Jiang Zuo chose ’Yes’.
’As long as it doesn’t expose me, I don’t care if they see it.’
And just then, Su Qi and the others once again received the prompt asking if they wanted to sync and watch.
They were all completely baffled.
Finally, Jingyue sighed. She now understood that this Candidacy Saintess was anything but simple.
’It seems he has to fight for his own permissions. A person like that would be truly terrifying as an enemy. If only he were one of our own.’
As she thought this, the video feed finally appeared.
They saw a wooden house, and next to it, a figure cloaked entirely in darkness was squatting.
Jiang Zuo frowned as he watched the person. The aura around them was incredibly dark.
It was as if they loathed and despised the entire world.
Humanity, the world, all living things—they were all objects of resentment and hatred.
It was a pitiable sight.
A dark, sad, and pitiful person.
Just then, a window of the wooden house opened. A young, innocent-looking girl poked her head out and said, "I knew it was you again. You should hurry and leave. If my big brother finds you, he’ll kill you."
At that moment, the gloomy young man looked toward the girl in the window. Instantly, a unique glimmer appeared in his eyes, and even the resentment and darkness within him seemed to recede.
Jiang Zuo could tell it was as if the young man was gazing upon a beautiful new world—or perhaps, an angel.
In reality, however, the girl was just an ordinary person.
Seeing the young man staring at her, the little girl took out a piece of fruit and offered it to him. "Here, this is for you. Eat it and leave quickly.
My brother is very cold. He never smiles."
The gloomy young man accepted the fruit and said, "I’m not afraid. I’m very powerful."
The young man didn’t eat the fruit. He held it in his hand as if it were an Exotic Treasure.
Hearing him say that, the young girl grew unhappy. She immediately retorted, "My big brother is the strongest! You definitely can’t beat him.
Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had to sneak in all those times when he wasn’t here."
The gloomy young man gazed at her and finally said, "Actually, the most powerful one is you."